Suit Tie: Jazz Ensemble Conductor Score & Parts

John Wasson captures the essential groove and contemporary energy of the original without requiring a vocalist, giving your ensemble a chance to own this modern standard. The horn writing sits at Grade 4 in a way that feels authentic to the track rather than simplified, and the medium tempo R&B pocket is genuinely fun to rehearse and perform.

Sleek and sophisticated with an irresistible forward motion. The medium tempo R&B groove creates a confident, almost swaggering energy that keeps the ensemble engaged without feeling rushed or overly complex.

Jazz ensembles at the high school level or advanced middle school programs looking for contemporary repertoire that feels current and energizing. Directors who want to program something that resonates with students' musical world while maintaining real ensemble challenges.

• Lock the rhythm section into a consistent pocket early; this arrangement lives and breathes on groove precision, so spend rehearsal time getting the drums and bass locked before layering horns.
• Let the sizzling horn riffs breathe as written. The scoops and articulation patterns are part of the arrangement's character, so resist the urge to smooth them out.
• Balance the ensemble so the horn lines cut through without drowning out the groove underneath. A Grade 4 group often overplays when excited, so remind players the pocket carries the song.

This works beautifully as a second-half opener on a spring concert, energizing the audience after a more traditional first set. It also pairs well with other contemporary jazz adaptations, signaling to listeners that your program speaks to the music happening right now.

• Articulation and phrasing in a contemporary R&B groove context
• Ensemble synchronization in syncopated horn lines
• Balance between rhythmic section and melodic voices
• Reading and executing scoops and stylistic articulations